The Earl of Selkirkasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether press reports are correct in stating that naval ships have been prevented from going to sea on their normal duties in order to economise in the use of fuel; and to what extent does this interfere with trials or training.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Trenchard)The Royal Navy's planned consumption of fuel during the latter part of this financial year is being reduced as one of the further measures to which my right honourable friend the former Secretary of State for Defence referred in another place on 8th August 1980 (Vol. 990, col. 480). Most areas of Fleet activity, including trials and training, have inevitably been affected, but essential commitments will continue to be met.
House adjourned at four minutes before eight o'clock.